Refrigerant-control mechanism



Oct. 23, 1928. v1,688,896

C. C. SPREEN RFRIGERANT CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan'.'29 1927 gmgemisxwl A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 23j 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

al1" C. SPREEN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 KELVINTOR CORPORA- TION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A

CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN.

BEFRIGERANT-CONTROL MECHANISM.

Application filed January 2a 1927. serial No. 164,434..

This invention relates to mechanical refrigerating mechanism, and more particularly to mechanism for controlling the passage of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator.

In mechanical refrigerating mechanismof the flooded type wherein a constant quantity of liquid refrigerant is maintained in the evaporator, it is customary to provide a control mechanism mounted either interiorly of the evaporator or in a reservoir adjacent the evaporator which includes a float actuated valve element co-operating with a liquid refrigerant supply passage. The support for the float and valve element is fixed interiorly of the evaporator or reservoir to a removable plate through which refrigerant inlet and outlet passages usually extend. Ditliculty has been encountered in maintaining a tight seat for the valve element due to wear caused by the extensive movement of the hardened valve element against its seat which is formed at the end of the inlet passage in the removable plate, usually a casting.

An object of this invention is to provide-cooperating valve mechanisrn elements for controlling the passage of liquld refrlgerant 1nto an evaporator of refrigerating mechanism which will withstand extensive use without deforming their seating faces.

Another object of this invention 1s to provide removable co-operating valve mechanlsm elements for controlling the passage of h quld refrigerant into an evaporator of refrigerating mechanism so that the parts can be' replaced and thus reduce the cost of serviclng.

A further object of the invention resides 1n the construction and association of valve mechanism elements with a removable por tion of an evaporator which facilitates assembly and servicing and reduces the cost of such operations.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferredform of embodimentof the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view of 'an evaporator having my improved mechanism associated therewith Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 showingr the manner of attaching the valve supporting structure, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the bracket 55 which carriesthe float and valve element.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference 10 represents a vessel for containing liquid refrigerant which is commonly' known as an evaporator. The evaporator is connected in circuit with a compressor and condenser, and the refrigerant enters the evaporator in liquid form and is 'vaporized as heat surrounding the evaporator is absorbed. rlhis type of refrigerating apparatus is well known and a further description is not deemed necessary herein.

The evaporator consists of a cylindrical vessel which terminates in an open end to which an annular ring or collar 11 is fixed in leak-proof relation by solder 12. A lead gasket 13 is placed adjacent the outer end of the collar, and a removable cast metal wall 14 is drawn against the lead gasket by studs 15 which extend through the wall and screw into the end of the collar. A boss 16 extends interiorly of the collar from the inner surface of the' removable wall and a refrigerant inlet passage 17 extends through the removable wall and boss. A refrigerant outlet passage 18 extends preferably through the upper portion of the removable wall, and suitable cou? plings 18a and 19 are secured to the removable wall adjacent respectively the inlet and outlet passages for connecting the same with refrigerant supply and return conduits which extend to the compressing and condensing apparatus. A-wire screen 20 is secured within the outer portion of the inlet passage in the removable wall of the evaporator to prevent the passage of foreign matter such as dirt, scales, etc. which may accumulate in the refrigerant.

Mechanism for controlling the dow of liquid refrigerant is attached to the removable wall of the evaporator and can be removed therewith. A valve seat 21 is pressed into the inner end ofthe inlet passage 17 in the end of the boss 16 and is provided with a danged end 22 to limit the insertion. The valve seat is l formed of hardened metal and is provided with an axially extending passage through J r secured to the other end of the lever 26. The

which the liguid refrigerant fiows into the evaporator. he seat is removable, and a new seat can be readily inserted when the seating surface becomes deformed. Considerable economy results from forming the seat separate from the wall because the initial cost is small and the removable wall does not n'eed to be scrapped when the seat becomes deformed. A unitary valve mechanism is removably mounted interiorly of the vessel to the removable wall and is arranged to automatically bracket base is provided with an aperture 29 registering with the passage in the valve seat and the needle valve is reciprocated therethrough to open and close the passage in the valve seat.` The valve element is secured at its interior and to a livot 30 which is fixed to ears 31 projecting rom the fioat lever. It

'will be seen that the fioat arm and valve element are carried by the bracket, and the bracket is removably attached to the end of the boss by studs 32. The fianged portion of the bracket extends around the end of the annular boss providing a mounting which relieves the tension on the studs 32 and assists in maintaining` the valve element in position to co-operate with the valve seat. The base s of the bracket is arranged to bear against and thus retain the removable valve seat in assembled position. It will be seen that the float moves downwardly as the liquid refrigerant boils off, that is, becomes vaporized when absorbing heat, which actuatesthe valve element to admit liquid refrigerant into the vessel. As the level of the liquidrises, the float moves therewith and shuts oif the supply line and such reciprocation of lthe valve element is almost constant during the absorption of heat by the refrigerant.

It will be seen that the valve mechanism andthe valve seat can be readily attached and detached from the Wall when desired, thus giving economy in manufacture and service. It will also be seen that the valve mechanism is removable from the vessel with the end wall which also is an advantage and saving in the manufacture and servicing of the device. A

Various changes can bemade in the details of the' device herein described without departing from the spirit of my invention and the scope of WhatI claim.

What I claim is:-

1. In refrigerating apparatus of the class described, a vessel adapted to contain av 1iq uefied refrigerant, said vessel having inlet and Voutlet refrigerant passages extending through its wall, a removable valve seat disosed within said inlet-passageway and an individually removable unit-ary valve mechanism secured to the interior wall of said vessel adjacent said inlet passage, said valve mechanism including a valve element, a fioat for actuating said valve element and a carrier.

2. In refrigerating apparatus of the class described, a vessel adapted to contain a liq- `uefied refrigerant, said vessel having refrigerant passages through its wall, a removable valve seat extending into the interior end of the inlet passage in said veel, a valve element in said vessel arranged to co-operate with said seat, float mechanism for actuating said valve element, and a bracket removably securedto the wall of. said vessel positively retaining said valve seat in said passage, said bracket carrying said valve element and said float mechanism. i

3. In refrigerating apparatus of the class described, a vessel ada ted to contain a liquefied refrigerant, sai veel having a removable wall having refrigerant inlet and outlet passages therethrough, a removable hardened valve seat extending into the interior lend of said inlet passage, a bracket removably secured to the interior of the removable wall of said vessel over said valve seat. a valve element adapted to open and close the assage through said valve seat and carried y said bracket, and fioat mechanism for actuating said valve element carried by said bracket.

4. In refrigerating apparatus of the class described, a vessel adapted to contain a li uefied refrigerant, having a removable wall, an inwardly extending boss on said wall hav ing a refrigerant passage -extending therethrough, a refrigerant outlet passage through a wall of said vessel, a removable valve seat in the passage in said boss, a reciprocable valve element arranged to co-o erate with said seat, float mechanism pivota ly connect ed to actuate said valve element, and a bracket for supporting said valve element and float mechanism, said bracket being removably secured to the end of said boss.

1 5. In refrigerating mechanism of the class described, a vessel for containing liquefied refrigerant, said vessel having a refrigerant outletW passage, a removable wall for said vessel, an annular boss extending interiorly from said removable wall having a refrigerant inlet passage extending therethrough, a removable valve seat vin said boss passage` said valve seat having a ange to engage said boss and limit the insertion thereof within said passage, a bracket having a flange extendin around the end portion of said boss and a ase fitting against the flanged end of said valve seat and the end of said boss, said bracket base having an opening therebracket, arms, and means for removably sethrough registering with the Valve seat, arms curing the base of vsaic'l bracket to the end of extending from said bracket, a valve element said boss. 10 reciprocable through the opening in said In testimony whereof, I hereunto aix my 5 bracket base, float mechanism for actuating signature.

said valve element, said valve element and said oat mechanism being carried by said. A CHARLES C. SPREEN. 

